Swedish forward became an example for athletes from other sports; the fashion for a celebration that caught on and went viral; Cherished by everyone… even the lions’ rivals
There are few adjectives to characterize Viktor Gyokeres. Since arriving in Alvalade, the Swedish forward began to write his story as the most expensive player Sporting has ever purchased (€20 million, with the value rising depending on the goals the player achieves); He started in the opening game of the League, against Vizela, and scored twice, leaving the fans’ mouths watering. He was a starter in each game, adding minutes, adapting to the team and Rúben Amorim’s ideas, he was fine-tuning the needle and, in no time, he became a killer that Sporting had long since stopped having in its ranks.
With the 9 on his back, a number that once belonged to names that remain in the history of the Lions emblem, such as Manuel Fernandes, Juskowiak, Iordanov, Wolfswinkel, Emmanuel Amunike and Slimani, Gyokeres is writing a beautiful page in the history of his career and the club.
Gyokeres veste a camisola 9 (Maciej Rogowski/IMAGO)
But Gyokeres’ influence extends beyond the field of play. The Swedish giant’s peculiar celebration after each goal went viral. The man in the mask, who already did so in Coventry, keeps his hands clasped over his face, as if it were a mask. The secret may have been from midfielder Josh Eccles, Gyokeres’ former teammate in England: «I believe the celebration is for the character in the film [Hannibal]. He eats people and Viktor destroys defenses.”
Former Coventry teammate Josh Eccles says the gesture is reminiscent of Hannibal Lecter’s mask
What is certain is that the main protagonist did not confirm the theory and, already questioned about the matter, promised to unravel the mystery at the end of the season.
No Coventry used to party like this (DR)
And the fashion caught on. Fans, young and old, other players and even athletes from other sports are already continuing the Gyokeres celebration.
Gyokeres became an idol for children (DR)
In jiu-jitsu, the athlete from Leiria Raquel Almeida (Academia Red House Association) won the bronze medal at the European Championship, just over a week ago, in Paris (France) and celebrated like Gyokeres.
Raquel Almeida celebrated bronze in Paris (DR)
Athlete Emmanuel Eseme, a 29-year-old Cameroonian, specialist in the 100, 200 and 4×100 meters, also adopted the Swede’s celebration of his achievements.
Emmanuel Eseme puts on a mask (DR)
Morita promised and fulfilled: he scored for Japan in the Asian Cup and, of course, celebrated like his teammate.
Morita in the Asian Cup (DR)
Taynan also, in the futsal League Cup final, in which Sporting beat Benfica, scored a goal and celebrated, of course, with his hands clasped over his face.
Taynan’s peculiar celebration, in the style of Gyokeres (Diogo Pinto/FPF)
And, surprisingly, even Abraham Marcus, FC Porto B player, when he scored the equalizer against UD Leiria (1-1), in League 2, celebrated like this…
Abraham Marcus shared this photo on social media (DR)
In the stands, in the last game, referring to the Portuguese Cup, in which Sporting beat UD Leiria (3-0) and guaranteed their place in the semi-finals, the image of a child with an adult, possibly the father, came into view. celebrating like the Swede.
Tender image at Leiria Municipal (DR)
From record to record
At 25 years old, the Swede is a phenomenon. His physical availability is impressive, he smiles with every move, demonstrating how he is enjoying the moment. He is a natural worker, he scores and still assists. He has played 2270 minutes in 28 games, scored 26 goals and made 10 assists!
Since 2018/2019, a Sporting player has not scored 25 or more goals (Bruno Fernandes scored 32), in six games he scored twice in four (Tondela, Vizela, Casa Pia and UD Leiria), and he has already scored twice in eight games and scored a hat trick against Farense, in the League Cup, and against Estoril (5-1), on the 16th round, he made three assists for a goal. He already surpassed his personal best in terms of goals, last season, in the Championship, in which he scored 22 goals and made 12 assists in 50 games, and we are still just over halfway through the season.
Against UD Leiria, in a game in which the lions secured passage to the semi-finals, Gyokeres scored more goals, reaching 26th, which costs Sporting another million euros (for goals), but, certainly, in Alvalade sees fit to use every penny spent on the Swede.
Leonine coach is not worried about the increase in the cost of the Swedish international’s pass because that means… (more) goals; the importance of not conceding and the new objective for the game against SC Braga; competence at all times contributed to the triumph in Leiria